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To solve the expression 3 x 9 + 15, you need to follow the order of operations, often remembered by the acronym PEMDAS (Parentheses, Exponents, Multiplication and Division (from left to right), Addition and Subtraction (from left to right)).

First, you calculate the multiplication part of the expression: 3 x 9 = 27.

Next, you take the result from the multiplication and add 15 to it: 27 + 15 = 42.

Therefore, the correct answer is 42. This demonstrates how applying the order of operations is essential in solving mathematical expressions correctly.